Air pollution is a growing problem in most cities (big and small). The "Daily Dose" aims to disseminate the best available information on air pollution and engage in discussions to better understand the process of air quality management. For more details on the program, please visit http://www.urbanemissions.info

Friday, December 24, 2010

40,000 Premature Deaths Annually in France, due to Outdoor Air Pollution

An ambitious project to fight air pollution in France. In 2011, Paris and five other French cities will ban old diesel cars, 4X4s and trucks. On paper these cities will be called Zapa, that is, Priority Zones for Action against Air Pollution.

But in reality, the new plans will be much more complicated than just giving new names. While 4X4 owners can afford to buy other cars, those owning old vehicles may feel penalized. These are the areas where the economically lower classes of the French society live. Most of them belong to the immigrant communities from French colonies in Africa and the Maghreb. Summer and winter, they breathe polluted air. Which law makers say, leads to another dilemma. According to official figures: 40000 people die each year in France due to health problems caused by pollution.